Minister of Finance Launches new Five Dollar Coin

Category: Financial Secretary Office News

The Cook Islands Minister for Finance, the Honourable Mark Brown proudly launched the new Cook Islands five dollar coin in Rarotonga on Tuesday 26 May 2015 which celebrated the voyagers who are in Rarotonga for the Te Manava Vaka festival.

The Te Manava Vaka festival has seen five vaka moana converge in Rarotonga from all parts of the Pacific as part of the annual celebrations of the Cook Islands 50 years of self governance.

The new $5 coin which will be circulating currency features the Ian Rank Broadley effigy of her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse.

The reverse features a likeness of the Marumaru Atua sailing through the waters in full sail with a voyager being guided the three major star constellations, the Pleiades (Matariki), Taurus (Taumata Kuku) and Orion (Tautoru).

The coin which was designed at the Royal Australian Mint in conjunction with members of the Cook Islands Voyaging Society is a direct likeness of the Marumaru Atua.

Master voyager, Teuatakiri (Tua) Pittman who was heavily involved in the final design was proud of the outcome. “We welcome the way Government has honoured our history and spirit in this way. The five dollar coin will be an everyday
reminder to our people and visitors to the Cook Islands the spirit of Cook Islanders and our spirit of adventure.”

Minister Brown pointed out that the new coins had arrived in Rarotonga and special sets would be available shortly for members of the public.